Insulate your Water Pipes This Winter

Insulate your Water Pipes This Winter

Getting ready for winter isn’t as easy as unpacking your winter clothing. In a climate as harsh as Chicago’s, you have to get your house ready too.

Burst pipes and leaks waste thousands of gallons of water daily and that adds up in dollar terms. But being prepared for plummeting temperatures can save you a ton of money and hassle.

Why do pipes burst?

Well, basic physics tells us that when water freezes, it expands. If it expands enough, the pressure can cause the pipe to burst. Yes, even copper has its breaking point. Pipes that are well protected along their full length by being located within the building’s insulation, insulation on the pipe itself, or heating, are safe. But many of the home’s pipes are not. AND this insulation needs to be maintained.

How do I insulate?

Doing the job yourself can be a time consuming exercise. It’s best to call the plumbing professionals because they know what to be on the lookout for. Certain pipes are more at risk of freezing than others because of their location in the home. The highest risk pipes are:

Exposed pipes in unheated areas of the home, like basements, attics and crawlspaces

Pipes located in exterior walls.

Plumbing on the exterior of the home.

Another huge risk is also a home that is left vacant for an extended time in winter. People often lower their thermostats to save on heating if they’re going away for some time, but this – of course – raises the risk of freezing pipes.

A stitch in time

Remember the old saying your Grandma used to recite? “A stitch in time saves nine”. This applies perfectly to preparing your home for the cold winter ahead.